Efficacy of electrical stimulation for post-stroke motor dysfunction: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective This study aims to analyze the efficacy and safety of different electrical stimulation treatments for post-stroke motor dysfunction, and to quantitatively analyze the advantages between them and their possible benefits for patients. Methods We will systematically search seven databases. All of them will be retrieved from inception to 15, April 2024. Two reviewers will evaluation the risk of bias in all included studies with the version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. Data synthesis will be performed using a random-effects model of network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of different electrical stimulation therapies. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve was used to indicate the possibility of the pros and cons of the intervention. The strength of evidence will be assessed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. Discussion This study will provide evidence that electrical stimulation therapy can effectively improve motor function in stroke patients and will also provide some valuable references for clinical decision-making and treatment guidelines. Trial registration PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023459102.